Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1887-01-26

= But rather they who seek with care,
In earnest action word and thought
Aud find them only when and where
The tickle crowd had never sought.
IL. q. wilson, IN the Current.
HUMPHREYS BELL.
Mr.. Giles was seated alone in the
tap-room of st. Agnes inn, with his
feet on table and half-tilled mug OF
ale in his hand. He was looking
through the open door at the fading
sunlight and wishing some thirsty Gus
toner would come up and drop few
shillings into his TIL. When about
finishing his ale Il SQUAD of footsteps
without caused him to remove his feet
from the table and assume a more bus
mess like attitude by standing with his
hands behind his back and an indiffer-
ent look on his face, as though indie
pendent of the entire world.
Good evening, Mr.. Giles said the
newcomer.
Good evening. Parker, good eve
ming, " answered MIR Giles. Come in.
What Will you have, and what is the
news?"
ALE, Giles, and bit of cheese. You
ask for the news; then you haven't
heard it,"
Not whit. What is it?'
"'SilaS Humphrey"
"'What of hlm?" asked Mr. Giles.
Dead"
"Dead?"
Yes, dead" repeated Mr.. Parker,
as he brought his hand down on the
table with emphasis. as though driving
the last nail into Silas Hump hrey's
coflio.
-tWhen?" asked Giles
1.-Two hours and half ago"
MANY a secret dies within him."
said Mr.. Giles, shaking his head in
mysterious manner.
''GiIes, what do you mean?"
Nothing was the unsatisfactory
answer.
1t must be something"
No matter, no matter" replied
Giles, What did he do with his
money!"
He divided it among some kinfolks
in Wales; all excepting one hundred
pounds,
whats that for?'
The good of the parish" answered
Mr.. Parker.
'Heaven help the parish then"
''Wh2t do YOU mean, Giles? | want
TO know what you mean
Nothing Parker, nothing. What's
that money for?'
For bell to put in the vacant
tower of St. Agnes church,
at will never ring aught but death
knell. said Mr.. Giles in sepulchral
voice.
Give me an explanation to your
words Mr. Giles. demand it, What
do you mean?'
That the parish must not touch the
money!"
''Whv?"
Because it's cursed. I say"
"<Carsed, Giles! Was that the word?"
Yes, cursed-every penny. 1t will
bring only mischief"
How cursed?" asked Parker.
There is blood, red blood on it,
u don't understand.
! There is a great deal YOU don't I'M
derstand A vast. great deal, Mr.
Parker. But l tell you, will not en-
ter the church if bell purchased with
SilaS Humphrey S money is ever hung in
it's tower"
you are wrong, Giles. You are too
severe on Silas, who may have been
little Wild few years back, but lately,
you know, he has been sober and we'll
behaved man"
81 know it kncw 1T. And 1 know
a ieat more"
what is the matter with you, Giles?
There's something on your mind, and l
say out with it like man.
Parker"
s'What, Giles?n
DO you remember the great num-
Der of robberies which were committed
twenty years ago on the very road
which lies before this house?'
''YeS."
! .'And the murders?''
Yes"
''Who was the robber?' asked Mr..
Giles.
Il don't know"
"Who was the murderer?''
: 81 don't know"
81 do" said Giles.
s'Who?'
Before answering, Mr.. Giles looked |
all about the room, and then sinking
his voice to whisper, said:
''Silas Humphrey"
.fSilas Humphreyr' repeated Parker.
':Hew do you know?"
Listen" said Mr. Giles, as he took |
his astonished friend by the arm and |
drew him nearer. about four years
ago Silas was in here alone, as you are
now, and had been drinking a great |
deal, as you have not. He was talka-
tive, and so drunk he mistook me for |
some one else-some companion of
twenty years before and he talked
about robbery and murder"
"Well?" put in Parker.
'tHe said he had been the leader of
the gang, continued Mr.. Giles, land he
kept referring to me to corroborate his
stories as though had been with him."
''Why haven't you told this before?"
Il didn't dare while Humphrey lived.
Indeed no. My live wouldn't be worth
that pewter pot if [ had. Silas was
too drunk to know what he said, and |
didn't propose reminding him of it,
Il rather think he was so drunk he
imagined the whole thing" answered
Mr.. Parker.
''Think as you will, Parker. Think
as you will. But you will see. Mis-
chief and mischief alone, will come out
of that bell. | have nothing more to
say about it, and will have nothing